Medication pocket dispenser

ABSTRACT

A portable medication dispenser comprising: a receptacle and a housing; said receptacle consisting of a cylinder having a first end and a second end, a handle extending from said first end, a series of cavities along the length of the cylinder, and an external means to attach the cylinder along the periphery of its&#39; axis at its&#39; first end, its&#39; second end, and between cavities to said housing; said housing consisting of a tube of greater diameter than said receptacle with an open first end and a closed second end, at its&#39; first end, an internal means to attach to said receptacle, and extending from the exterior of said tube a means to attach said portable medication dispenser to other objects.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The novelty disclosed in this document pertains to a medication dispenser. More narrowly, to improvements to a portable dispenser configured to house small quantities of medication in a series of compartments. The compartments provide a means of transporting a regimen of doses, segregated for administration at different points in time.

Medical treatments frequently include the ingestion of prescription drugs over a period of time. Treatment of chronic ailments may include multiple prescriptions, with the administration of doses specified to occur any number of times over the course of a day.

A portable dispenser provides a convenient method of organizing a day's regimen, so that the medication may be administered on schedule over the course of the day.

PRIOR ART

It is remarkable how many subtle variations of a single concept can be found in the patent record. Submitting “pocket medication dispenser” to the new Patent Hunter program generated 214 records. Don't worry, I'm not citing all 214. Very few were similar to the improvements described here. Prior art cited are limited to medication dispensers incorporating: a cylindrical housing; a series of two or more compartments within the housing; and means to sequentially access compartments.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,707,552 was issued May 3, 1955 to M. W. Matthiesen. Titled “Sectional Multipurpose Pill Container”, it resembles a writing pen. It consists of a series of vials, which assembled together give the outward appearance of a pen. A vial may be opened by manually detaching it from the series. The contents are accessed through the open end of the vial.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,759,598 was issued Aug. 21, 1956 to H. R. Tregilas. As with Matthiesen's device, this is designed to give the outward appearance of a writing pen. It also consists of a series of containers that attach to one another in a series. Each compartment is enveloped by a sleeve. The contents of a compartment are accessed by rotating a sleeve, which exposes an opening.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,162,301 was issued Dec. 22, 1964 to C. Cage Jr. As with the two previously cited devices, this provides a series of compartments. Unlike the previous two, these compartments are not detachable from one another. Access into the compartments is provided by a single sleeve. The sleeve has a series of staggered openings. Rotating the sleeve provides access to a different compartment with each rotation.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,408 was issued Jun. 13, 1978 to John B. Ford. As with the previous citations, this container has the physical appearance of a writing pen. It provides two compartments and indexing for tracking dosages.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,191 was issued Aug. 14, 1984 to Rolf E. Darbo. This dispenser includes a core piece with a series of cavities enveloped by a sheath. A detent is provided as a means to attach the sheath to the core.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,698 was issued Feb. 14, 1995 to Hiroshi Wakao. A series of individual capsules nest end to end in a carrier/dispenser, which is open at opposing ends. An end capsule may be removed by pressing the capsule at the opposing end into the carrier/dispenser. The end capsule forced out by such means may then be inserted into the opposing end.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,454 was issued Dec. 5, 2000 to Donald C. George. This device is described as a pill carrier and dispenser housing. It is configured to house a series of medications sealed in a membrane. As a dosage is advanced to an opening in the housing, a plunger ejects that dosage from its' membrane and the housing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The improvement disclosed in this document pertains to a portable medication dispenser. It is configured to house a days regime of medication, with doses segregated for administration at different times of day. The dispenser consists of two parts: a receptacle; and a housing. The receptacle is cylindrical with a series of compartments down its' length for the storage of small quantities of medication. In the preferred embodiment, the cylinder has external threads at both ends, as well as, between the compartments. Additionally, the preferred embodiment includes a handle. The housing is tubular and of a greater diameter than the receptacle. It has an open end and a closed end. In the preferred embodiment, the open end exhibits internal threads that mate with the external threads of the cylinder. Additionally, the preferred embodiment includes a tensioning device, suitable for attaching the medication dispenser to clothing or paperwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—A plan view of a Medication Pocket Dispenser

FIG. 2—A side view of a Medication Pocket Dispenser

FIG. 3—A plan view of a receptacle 10 illustrates the locations of: cylinder 12; first end of receptacle 14; second end of receptacle 15; handle 16; cavities 17; and external means to attach 18.

FIG. 4—A side view of a receptacle 10 illustrates the locations of: cylinder 12; first end of receptacle 14; second end of receptacle 15; handle 16; and external means to attach 18.

FIG. 5—A bottom view of a receptacle illustrates the locations of: cylinder 12; first end of receptacle 14; second end of receptacle 15; handle 16; and external means to attach 18.

FIG. 6—A cross-sectioned side view of a receptacle illustrates the locations of: cylinder 12; first end of receptacle 14; second end of receptacle 15; handle 16; and cavities 17.

FIG. 7—A cross-sectioned side view of a housing illustrates the locations of: tube 22; open first end of housing 24; closed second end of housing 25; internal means to attach 27; and means to attach portable medication dispenser to other objects 29.

FIG. 8—A side view of a housing illustrates the locations of: tube 22; open first end of housing 24; closed second end of housing 25; means to attach portable medication dispenser to other objects 29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A portable medication dispenser comprising: a receptacle 10 and a housing 20; said receptacle consisting of a cylinder 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 15, a handle 16 extending from said first end, a series of cavities 17 along the length of the cylinder, and an external means to attach 18 the cylinder along the periphery of its' axis at its' first end, its' second end, and between cavities to said housing; said housing 20 consisting of a tube 22 of greater diameter than said receptacle 10 with an open first end 24 and a closed second end 25, at its' first end, an internal means to attach 27 to said receptacle, and extending from the exterior surface of the housing 20 a means to attach 29 said portable medication dispenser to other objects.

A medication pocket dispenser has been described in some detail by way of illustrations for purposes of clarity and understanding. It will, of course, be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the form, details, and arrangements of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

10—receptacle

12—cylinder

14—first end of receptacle

15—second end of receptacle

16—handle

17—cavities

18—external means to attach

20—housing

22—tube

24—open first end of housing

25—closed second end of housing

27—internal means to attach

29—means to attach portable medication dispenser to other objects 

1. A portable medication dispenser comprising: a receptacle and a housing; said receptacle consisting of a cylinder having a first end and a second end, a series of cavities along the length of the cylinder, and an external means to attach the cylinder along the periphery of its' axis at its' first end, its' second end, and between cavities to said housing; said housing consisting of a tube of greater diameter than said receptacle with an open first end and a closed second end, and at its' first end, an internal means to attach to said receptacle.
 2. A portable medication dispenser comprising: a receptacle and a housing; said receptacle consisting of a cylinder having a first end and a second end, a handle extending from said first end, a series of cavities along the length of the cylinder, and an external means to attach the cylinder along the periphery of its' axis at its' first end, its' second end, and between cavities to said housing; said housing consisting of a tube of greater diameter than said receptacle with an open first end and a closed second end, and at its' first end, an internal means to attach to said receptacle.
 3. A portable medication dispenser comprising: a receptacle and a housing; said receptacle consisting of a cylinder having a first end and a second end, a series of cavities along the length of the cylinder, and an external means to attach the cylinder along the periphery of its' axis at its' first end, its' second end, and between cavities to said housing; said housing consisting of a tube of greater diameter than said receptacle with an open first end and a closed second end, at its' first end an internal means to attach to said receptacle, and extending from the exterior of said tube a means to attach said portable medication dispenser to other objects. 